Having the entire wedding party (spouces and a few othes) march the couple up to the wedding suite for thier coupling, should have been a clue for Hermione, however, thankfully, she didn't catch on. But He knew - performing for the Dark Lord, Belinda, Malfoys and others... that had to be tough on Severus. He knew!

You are so right on the first part. If he'd simply held her and let her cry on his shoulder, she would have told him everything. So instead, he'll bury himself into being Headmaster and let her wallow. *sigh* Poor guy - just doesn't know.    Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it.

With everything going on, he just didn't realize all he had to do was hold her and let her cry on his shoulder and she'd have started confessing. Guys! Some just can't handle a distraught female! Let things settle into a routine, and Occlumency lessons, Cillian, who's far better at dealing with females, catch on and nudge Severus a bit... see where I'm going?  If you're really curious I babbled a bit too much on a previous review... Anyway, thank you for the reveiw. Don't worry, relationships that grow through tough times become strong.

Thank you. I'm so glad you like this chapter and consdier giving me a read. I really appreciate it. I hope it stays to your likeing.

Don't worry hun, relationships that grow through tough beginnings grow into something strong.

Cerydden, 

I don’t mean to torment you or any one with misunderstandings. Severus, as I have him in my head while writing this story, has had one girlfriend (Lily - and that relationship went sour), Belinda, who aggressively pursuits him – aggressively, and possibly other sexual partners but most that are willing/experienced partners and not relationships. So, Severus doesn’t exactly know how to be a loving and supportive ‘boyfriend,’ or how to be emotionally supportive to a emotionally distraught female. Hermione, who is used to dealing with guys and relationships problems has been through a lot since June (when this story starts.) She still sees herself as a prisoner, at the mercy of the Dark Lord and having no control regarding her fate. Severus was cool and aloof during her summons (after she splinched), standing back and away from her, except when he held her to make her watch Wormtail being punished by the Dark Lord. She doesn’t realize that she can turn to Severus, andtell him what’s wrong, because she doesn’t think he can or will do anything about it, other than to tell her to ‘obey.’

Not only that, but keep in mind Severus is being pulled in several directions at once: getting married, school starts in two days, Carrows causing trouble/making demands, the other teachers upset/uncomfortable/unhappy, new school policies/rules to implement, approve lseeon plans, make the existing staff conform to what the Dark Lord wants. And he doesn’t realize that all he had to do was enter the shower and hold her, let her cry on his shoulder and Hermione would’ve open up to him. Give him (and me a bit of time.) Cillian is a bit of a lad/ladies man. Occlumency lessons – he will see it! Things have to settle into a routine and these two will have time to work things out. Okay? At least this is the plan…  I hope you aren’t put off with what I’ve said here and I didn’t mean to babble. But in the end – I wouldn’t keep insisting this is a Romance if I wasn’t getting them there. Draco and Cillian will end up her friends… Someone(s) will change sides. The D.A. of course comes back – but slightly different from how JK had it. Belinda wants Severus back in her bed.  The Order of the Phoenix, while disorganized somewhat is gaining support and members. It has a three person head right now - and Severus still sends notes/warnings/information to (cant' tell you right now). Harry, Ron and Percy will do something not in the books. Someone(s) who died in book seven, doesn’t – but is hurt really bad… Someone(s, 2) I really dislike will die. (You won't mind - they are peripheral characters.) I’ll be following the timeline on Lexicon, but Harry gains a group of help and Ron doesn't run off, and familiar events happen. I’m following canon, trying to keep the characters canon, but I’ve planned changes in what happens and who does what.   Sorry – I’ll stop babbling now.

I'm glad that you like how I deplited the boys in this. I wanted Ron to grow up and mature a bit more than he did in the books. Harry is more affected by locket/visions/dreams than he was in the books. You'll see...  Interesting, she use his Deluminator? You'll have to wait to see what I did. Thank you for reading and for the review. 

She hasn't yet begun to turn to him like she would have Harry or Ron. Her relationshiip with Severus isn't as comfortable to her where she feels able to confide in him. Besides, she's convinced he can't or wouldn't do anything about it because of the way he acted at her summoning. Unfortunately, they are still having communication difficulties. As for Severus, he's been rather busy - school starts in two days, wedding, new teachers, new rules to impliment... he's been pulled in several directions and didn't take the time to try and comfrot her either. He knows she's upset - but didn't try holding her or anything... that would have given her the oppurtunity to open up to him.Thank you for the reveiw. Have patience, things are improving - slowly.

Thank you. I really want to show as many sides to his personality as I can so he isn't so one-dimensioal as in the books. I really appreciate the compliment as I have tried so hard in deplicting him as both able to be kind, manipulative, cunning - yet evil. I'm glad you got that.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so very much.

,

 The next two chapters are only a day each and things are going to be busy for Severus, the new Headmaster, new teachers, new rules, new guidelines, on top of all his duties… he’ll be distracted somewhat… Draco, to clear things up, has been ‘given a task’ so to speak by the Dark Lord, (yes another,) to befriend her and turn her loyalties (“You have not come around as much as I had hoped.”) This will be made a bit more clearer in the next two chapters—although, Draco isn’t sure how to sway her and doesn’t really thinks he can. Befriend—that’s easy (or so he thinks!) You’ll see. Besides, since I’m trying to keep to canon regarding everyone who do you think will sway whom?    Thank you for the reveiw. I hope I didn't punch down any hopes by typing this.

*Blushes* Geeze thanks! Wow. Hermione's and Snape's feelings are taken by both canon and personal reaction (mine) and my boyfriend's suggestion when reading over my shoulder as I type for Severus. Neither is really opening up totally, both are holding themselves in check and feeling the strain... Legilimens will come later I'm afraid...Thank you so much for the lovely compliment, I'm touched.

Gab,

Thank you. There has always been a ‘relationship’ between Severus and Hermione, but thanks to her use of the parchment, things definitely shifted quickly and were ‘redefined’ and then escalated. Yes, they haven’t worked much out, but he’s a secretive sort and not too suave when it comes to women. (at least in this one) But Hermione is the kind to try and ‘resolve’ things…  maybe when she’s feeling a bit more in her element…

I’ve the next chapter written—but I have to get it all cleaned up with my betas. It is forthcoming, I promise.

Thank you. Yep, she should have, and he could have tried simply holding her and let her cry on his shoulder too. They both have difficulties in the communication dept. Yep, they’re off to Hogwarts! But alas… I’ve got to have it cleaned up by my betas first. But it’s written at least!!

Sneaky git just slipped in right after Severus walked out and then left before Severus got back. Yes, she should have told Severus, but she feels trapped still and after the way he behaved at her summons, she didn’t think he could do anything about it. And Severus didn’t pry either. She was fine after the coupling and not when he came back. He could have tried to comfort her and didn’t try hard enough.

I’m glad you liked the hand-fasting. I used several from the net and blended what I liked best.

Thank you for the review. I appreciate it.

Thank you. Beautifully put. I don’t think I could say it better! Keep the faith, I like romance even rocky-in-the-beginning ones!

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. I’m so glad. Severus knew about the mirror and kept it from her the best he could, but yes, wizard version of sitting behind the bed hangings! Yuck. Bet Belinda liked the show? There was quite a bit to upset her and the Calming Draught wore off… Yep, poor girl.

Thank you very much.  (shhh, but in reality it's a bit of a Mister-sue. It's my opinions, Sunny, the way I see the events that Ron is spouting. But don't tell anyone, okay?)  Thank you for reading and for the review. Hugs, and happy reading.

Hello, Lora, nice to hear form you.   I'm really glad that you liked Ron in this - I wanted to show that he grew up (finally) a little bit and matured, taking on some responsibility. It was fun showing him this way.    Harry, he's been getting a few visions and he's really hurt and angry at Hermione right now nad he hates Ron's ideas. Yes, he's being a prat, but guess who is wearing the Horcrux. In this story, the Locket effects both Ron and Harry the same, (the way it effected Ron in the books/movies, made him think all sorts of bad/jealous/angry things.) You'll see in the next chapter, I hope, that it's the connection/visions/emotions that's tearing on him. He doesn't have Hermione with him to sooth things over, her understanding and gentle support and so he's affected more. Does that help?    Draco is coming around, but then he isn't his father, he isn't a killer and he is not liking life under the Dark Lord. Cillian is a okay bloke.    Hermione's position is a hard one to explain - she is a POW. She's told to behave, do what is expected of her, keep your head down or be tormented/tortured/killed. It's a tough place to be. Plus she is coming to love Severus.Severus is still trapped under a madman, doing his bidding but at the same time, ... next chapter you'll see more and there is a hint (loud hint) that things with him are still not as they appear. He's not bad, but he's having to show the Dark Lord images, when asked, so the Dark Lord can taunt Harry with them... You'll see Severus' stand in the next chapter... or two. He may surprise you.   Thank you for reading and for the review. I appreciate you sticking with me and sharing your opinions. Hugs, and have a great Easter, sweetie.

Thank you.

Thank you, Beth. I'm so glad you enjoy the details. LOL yep, a pasing int the night, missed it by that much, game. Nail down her shoes - that's funny. I intended to have her hook up with the boys because I wanted you to see what they were up to and that they were all right even though Hermione wasn't with them, but also to get a glimpse that the war is being fought on the outside of school.I've had Hermione in a bubble and this was one way for her ( and you ) to see outside her bubble.Yep, the parchment is still around. Hermione knows it's in her trunk, now he does too. However, she isn't using it because she's a bit afraid of it - considering she doesn't know how it works or who made it. But yes, it's still there.  I think CoMWT updates next, then P-TB, they are both in queue. So As soon as one of those validates, I'll submit a cahpter of this one in. Thankyou for sticking with me and for the review. It's always good to hear from you and what you think.

Oh, I had a small accident in my car and two weeks off work. I'm broke! So I'll be spending loads - all of my evenings at home. typing most likely. Thank you for the tip. My beta's and the admins don't catch everything, but then I'm not doing this for money - only cuz I'm having fun and am enjoying sharing my imagination with all of you! Thank you so much for the lovely compliment, and sweet review. Hugs!~

Thank you very much. Yeah, I got a giggle writing that part. Her 'bending'! Thank you so much for the review.